Pope’s visit met with joy, violent protests in Brazil

POLARIZATION:The pontiff was received by thousands of jubilant pilgrims, but the celebrations gave way to riots fed by anger at the state and the visit’s US$53m cost

AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the pope was not worried about the massive crowd and that he wanted to avoid a “militarization”of security, but he went to the governor’s palace by helicopter to avoid the protest.